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Now the defendant has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard Sheldon's face was covered with a scarf when he pulled out the knife at the Midway at 2.50pm on January 25.

Midway car park, in Newcastle

Prosecutor David Bennett said: “He told her to drop her purse while holding a blade. She noticed he was holding a knife with a four or five-inch blade. She did as instructed, fearing what he would do if she did not.

“She began screaming out. He picked up the purse and ran off. He dropped the knife as he ran off and a member of the public recovered it. The defendant’s DNA was found on the knife.”

Co-op, Windermere Road, Clayton

The defendant next struck at 9.30am the following morning. He approached a woman from behind as she was withdrawing £20 and tried to snatch the note from her grasp. But the victim screamed and held on to the note which ripped in half. Sheldon fled and discarded some clothing nearby which was found to contain his DNA.

He said: “The most serious offence was in the car park where he produced a knife. Force was used in the other matters. There must have been an element of planning as he was loitering around the premises where the offences were committed.

“He is disgusted with what he has done to the women. He is ashamed and remorseful.”

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Judge Paul Glenn commended an ‘excellent police investigation’ which was assisted by the public. He awarded Amanda Pulham a £250 reward from the High Sheriff of Staffordshire after she recovered the knife and put it in a hazard bag to preserve any DNA.

Judge Glenn said: “This has plainly had an effect on each of these ladies. The first victim suspects she will be looking over her shoulder every time she uses a car park. Courts have to protect the public from offences such as this.”

Following the case, a Newcastle Borough Council spokesman said: “Thankfully, cases like this are still quite rare in Newcastle and we will continue to work closely with our partners, including Staffordshire Police, to make sure the town is as safe as possible.

"Newcastle has Purple Flag status which focuses on creating a town centre environment where people feel safe as well as helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly in the evening and at night.”